Is Costa Rica expensive to visit?
Considered a popular destination, Costa Rica is a moderately priced country for travelers. When compared to the rest of Central America, it is a very expensive country to visit. It ranks in the top 10% of countries in Central America for its travel prices, and this places it in line with destinations such as Belize.
Costa Rica has a number of popular destinations that attract visitors. Some of the most expensive places to visit in Costa Rica include Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park), Tamarindo, and Puerto Viejo. For more affordability, you can visit places like San Jose, Santa Elena, and Jaco.
Average daily price of selected cities in Costa Rica, by affordability
| City | Average Daily Cost |
|---|---|
| Puerto Viejo | $167 |
| Tamarindo | $143 |
| Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) | $138 |
| Quepos | $137 |
| Liberia | $126 |
| La Fortuna | $122 |
| Jaco | $118 |
| Santa Elena | $109 |
| San Jose | $101 |
Cloud Forest in Costa Rica
How expensive is Costa Rica?
Travelers spend an average of $133 per day when visiting Costa Rica (U.S. Dollars). This is according to our calculations which come from the expenses of previous visitors. While this is an average cost, prices can vary by travel style, the length of your trip, and other factors. However, you can keep close to this average, or even travel cheaper if you stay at moderately priced hotels, eat at affordable restaurants, and take public transportation when possible. See more travel costs for Costa Rica here.
How expensive is a one week trip to Costa Rica?
Based on the travel expenses of others, a one week trip to Costa Rica costs around $930 on average, per person. This includes food, sightseeing, local transportation, accommodation, and nightlife. For two people, a one week trip costs $1,860.
How expensive is a two week trip to Costa Rica?
Based on our calculations from previous travelers, a two week trip to Costa Rica will cost around $1,860 per person. This amount includes sightseeing activities, hotels, restaurants, local transportation, and other travel expenses. For two people, a two week trip would cost $3,720.
How expensive is a month long trip to Costa Rica?
On average, a one month trip to Costa Rica costs about $3,986 per person. This is based on the previous expenses of actual travelers, and includes accommodation, food, activities, local transportation, and more. For two people, a one month trip costs $7,971.
Costa Rica
Is it expensive to backpack in Costa Rica?
With more than 110 hostels around the country, Costa Rica is a popular backpacker destination for travelers looking to stay on a tight budget and have a fun time along the way. Hostels here cost an average of $16 per night for a bed in a hostel dorm. (See hostel prices in Costa Rica here.) Many backpackers head to San Jose, La Fortuna, and Tamarindo. Typically, the most expensive hostels are in Tamarindo and Jaco, which average $22 and $19 a night. On the other hand, the cheapest hostels are in La Fortuna and Santa Elena which average $13 and $10 per night.
Here are a few sample prices from popular hostels in Costa Rica.
- $14 for a dorm bed at Stray Cat Hostel in San Jose
- $17 for a dorm bed at Arenal Backpackers Resort in La Fortuna
- $16 for a dorm bed at CASA PURA VIDA SURF HOSTEL in Tamarindo
Where to find affordable hostels in Costa Rica
| City | Number of Hostels | Average Price for a Dorm |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose | 30 | $15 |
| La Fortuna | 17 | $13 |
| Tamarindo | 15 | $22 |
| Jaco | 14 | $19 |
| Santa Elena | 13 | $10 |
| Quepos | 5 | $17 |
| Alajuela | 5 | $16 |
Are hotels expensive in Costa Rica?
Hotel prices in Costa Rica are moderately priced and fairly even compared to other countries around the world. You can expect to spend about $115 a night for a room on average. Some cities in Costa Rica are more expensive than others, like Tamarindo, where hotel prices average $181 a night. There are also even more affordable destinations such as San Jose, averaging $57 per night for a hotel room.
Where to find affordable hotels in Costa Rica
| City | Average Hotel Price |
|---|---|
| Tamarindo | $181 |
| Jaco | $177 |
| Puerto Jimenez (Corcovado National Park) | $129 |
| Quepos | $128 |
| Puerto Viejo | $103 |
| La Fortuna | $91 |
| Liberia | $59 |
| San Jose | $57 |
Sunset on Jaco Beach, Costa Rica
How expensive are sightseeing activities in Costa Rica?
Activities and things to do in Costa Rica can vary in price depending on the type of activity, length, and location. Below are a number of popular activities to give you an idea of what to expect when visiting. Generally, previous travelers have spent $31 per day on sightseeing activities and things to do when visiting.
- Private Sloth and Monkey Wildlife Tour: $30
- Manuel Antonio National Park tour : $29
- Half day Mountain Tour in Nosara: $150
- Lake Arenal Private Paddle Board Experience: $70
- Ebano Waterfalls and Rainforest Safari Tour: $75
- Private Guided Walking Tour in Hacienda Baru: $88
- ATV Hidden Beaches Tour: $125
- White Water Rafting Canyoning Combo Maquique Adventure: $165
Is food expensive in Costa Rica?
Food in Costa Rica can vary in price depending on the restaurant and food options available. Generally, other travelers have spent $41 on food per person per day. To save money, eat at less expensive restaurants, try street food, or cook your own meals when possible.
- Taste of Costa Rica: Traditional Food Tour in Jacó: $87
- Ceviche & Empanadas Cooking Class: $77
- Private Native Caribbean Cooking in Puerto Viejo de Talamanca: $45
- 4-Hour Food Tour Sampling Hidden Gems of Puerto Viejo: $140
- Cooking Class in Manuel Antonio with Medicinal Plants Garden Visit: $77
- Cooking Class and Medical Plants Garden: $77
Tree Frog, Costa Rica
Is transportation expensive in Costa Rica?
Local transportation in Costa Rica can vary in price depending on the type of transit used. Generally, other travelers have spent $25 on local transportation per person per day. To save money, take public transit whenever possible, as it will almost always be cheaper than a taxi or private driver.
Intercity transportation in Costa Rica can vary widely in price depending on the type of transit used and the distance traveled. Generally, other travelers have spent $59 on intercity transportation per person per day. To save money, take long distance buses or trains instead of flying, as it will almost always be cheaper, even if it's slower.
More for Costa Rica
If you're planning a trip to Costa Rica, check out these other informative travel guides.
We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.